Meme Coins, Stablecoins, and Protocol Shifts in May 2025

May 2025 has been anything but quiet in the crypto world. From surprising revenue numbers to major protocol upgrades and new players shaking up the stablecoin scene, this month has shown just how fast things can move.

Meme coin platform PumpFun is suddenly out-earning Ethereum, Bitcoin’s price soared past $100K (again), and even Donald Trump’s family is in on the action with a booming stablecoin. Add in a big Ethereum update, a ransomware data leak, and Revolut enabling Bitcoin payments in Europe, and you’ve got one of the most eventful months in recent crypto history.

PumpFun Outpaces Ethereum in Fee Revenue

PumpFun, a meme coin launchpad on the Solana blockchain, reportedly generated $294 million in fees over the past year, surpassing Ethereum’s $249 million in the same period. This highlights the growing influence of meme coin platforms in the decentralized finance (DeFi) ecosystem.

Vitalik Buterin Advocates for Ethereum Simplification

Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin has proposed reducing the protocol’s complexity and critical code volume. He argues that Ethereum’s architecture has become overly intricate, potentially hindering development and innovation. Buterin’s proposal aims to streamline the protocol to facilitate easier upgrades and maintenance.

Bitcoin Core Plans to Remove OP_RETURN Limit

The Bitcoin Core development team is considering removing the limit on the OP_RETURN operator, which allows data to be embedded in the blockchain. This change could enable more complex smart contracts and data storage solutions directly on the Bitcoin network, expanding its functionality beyond simple transactions.

Ethereum Activates Pectra Upgrade

Ethereum successfully implemented the Pectra upgrade, enhancing scalability and transaction throughput. This upgrade is part of Ethereum’s ongoing efforts to improve network performance and reduce gas fees, aligning with its roadmap toward Ethereum 2.0.

Revolut Launches Bitcoin Payments via Lightning Network in Europe

Digital banking platform Revolut has launched Bitcoin payment services through the Lightning Network across Europe. This integration allows users to make faster and more cost-effective Bitcoin transactions, promoting broader adoption of cryptocurrency in everyday payments.

Tether Mints $1 Billion USDT, Transfers to Justin Sun on HTX Exchange

Tether issued 1 billion USDT tokens, transferring them to entrepreneur Justin Sun on the HTX exchange. This significant transaction underscores the ongoing collaboration between major stablecoin issuers and prominent figures in the crypto industry.

Bitcoin Surpasses $100,000 Amid Market Optimism

Bitcoin’s price exceeded $100,000 for the first time since early February, reaching a peak of $105,747. The surge is attributed to renewed optimism in U.S.-China trade relations and increased institutional investment in digital assets. However, the price later adjusted to around $102,785 due to profit-taking and market volatility.

LockBit Ransomware Group Suffers Major Data Leak

The LockBit ransomware group experienced a significant breach, resulting in the exposure of nearly 60,000 Bitcoin addresses, victim communications, and administrative credentials. This leak provides valuable insights into the operations of one of the most notorious cybercriminal organizations.

Stripe Adds Support for USD Stablecoins

Fintech company Stripe has integrated support for USD-pegged stablecoins, enabling businesses to accept stablecoin payments. This move reflects the growing demand for stable digital currencies in online commerce and the broader financial ecosystem.

Trump Family’s USD1 Stablecoin Gains Traction on BNB Chain

The Trump family’s stablecoin, USD1, issued by World Liberty Financial, has rapidly gained popularity on the BNB Chain. With a market capitalization exceeding $2 billion, USD1 now ranks second only to USDT on the network. The stablecoin’s growth is bolstered by significant investments, including a $2 billion infusion from an Abu Dhabi-based firm

About Paybis

Paybis is a global cryptocurrency exchange platform that provides fast, secure, and user-friendly digital asset transactions. Founded in 2014, the company specializes in fiat-to-crypto and crypto-to-fiat conversions, enabling users to buy, sell, and swap Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other cryptocurrencies using various payment methods, including credit/debit cards, bank transfers, and e-wallets.

With a strong focus on security and compliance, Paybis is registered with regulatory authorities and implements industry-leading AML/KYC procedures. The platform is known for its intuitive interface, 24/7 customer support, and competitive exchange rates, making it a preferred choice for both beginners and experienced traders.

Wrapping Up

In short, meme coin platform PumpFun pulled in more fee revenue than Ethereum over the past year, while Vitalik Buterin pushed for a simpler Ethereum design and the network rolled out its Pectra upgrade. Bitcoin Core is planning to remove the OP_RETURN limit to allow more on-chain data, and Bitcoin itself surged past $100K thanks to global market optimism.

The list of crypto events keeps growing, and where here to highlights the key news every week. Check back in next week for more crypto world updates!

Written by

Sergey Zhuk

Sergey Zhuk is a developer at Paybis and a passionate advocate for Web3 and blockchain technology. With hands-on experience in crypto development, he writes about the latest trends, innovations, and insights in the blockchain space. When he's not coding, he enjoys exploring new use cases for decentralized technologies.